Gardai quizzed on gang co-operation

The alleged co-operation with Dublin-based criminal gangs by two gardaí is being investigated.

The alleged co-operation with Dublin-based criminal gangs by two gardaí is being investigated.

The Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy said today there will always be “issues” in an organisation the size of An Garda Siochána.

Speaking from the Garda College in Templemore where 276 new recruits graduated today , Mr Murphy said: “We had a recent issue which was investigated and we are going to leave it to the investigation.”

He said in an organisation the size of An Garda Síochána, with 14,600 members, there will “always be issues” but said these would be dealt with firmly.

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Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern told recruits gardaí had won the trust of the community by performing their duties to the highest standards but warned representative organisations to be careful about how they proceed with industrial action.

Gardaí are prohibited from going on strike and Mr Ahern said he had no problem with industrial action by gardai once they did not step outside the law.

The Minister said a “blue flu”, in which many gardaí called in sick simultaneously, had led to a public backlash against the force.